Opinion

As a health professional I, like many of our health leaders and informed citizens, am deeply concerned about the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in our population. These diseases are responsible for countless “unnecessary” deaths, and wide-spread disability and suffering, as well as their economic impact on families and the whole of society. Therefore, it is in everyone’s interest to work to mitigate the health burden of these diseases.

As recent representatives of our island to the Spelling Bee, many thanks are due to the Bee's sponsors for enabling the students from American Samoa to participate every year. It has been an eye-opening experience both for the Speller and myself as an Educator and parent. We got to see how serious the Spellers treat the Bee as well as everyone who got involved in sponsorship and organization.

Thank you Samoa News and McDonald’s for making it possible to attend and represent American Samoa.

In yesterday’s article on the Minimum Wage issue, I was quoted as saying that “I’m not looking at the [local] administration for leadership” on the minimum wage issue, and was instead “looking at people in Washington, DC if they can get a bill” through Congress regarding our minimum wage levels in American Samoa.

American Samoa is a very unique place to live, as such, we are privileged to have the best of the United States of America (the Constitutional rights) and our own Treaties, which is unique to American Samoa. Why then, do some of our lawmakers insist on acting like we are a ‘regular’ State of the Union... we are not!!!

It is imperative that a victim advocate/activist remains transparent. There is no bargaining or deceit involved. There is only one agenda and that is to believe, stand and walk with the victim. The Justice system will sort out the truth and render its decision. It is absolutely essential that we gain and maintain a victim’s trust and keep them in a safe place.

Talofa once again Tutuila and Manu’a. Just read a Samoa News article, whereas, the Assistant Director of the School Lunch Program is claiming that the $509,000 plus some that she has paid-out to their vendors is “Peanuts”? OMG! Like REALLY LADY?

Ipu Avegalio Lefiti, Advocate Against Family Violence and Human Trafficking

In 2014, the Governor signed the amnesty bill. It was the first step in immigration reforms for the U.S. territory, which controls its own borders and isn't subject to federal law. American Samoa is the only U.S. flag jurisdiction that makes up its own immigration rules.

Samoa News, in its Gong Show editorial entitled, "Mo' Money", noted that I had questioned DOI in front of Congress as to why American Samoa's operating grant has never increased. The response was that American Samoa is the only territory that gets an operating grant, which is somewhat misleading, because other territories have their own unique funding arrangements with the federal government.